This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:08:01
The video discusses the impact of a significant recent update to Skyrim, which introduced paid mods and numerous fixes. This update has severely disrupted the modding community, particularly affecting the upkeep and functionality of popular mods like SkyUI. Many mod authors are facing prolonged adjustment periods for their mods, with some considering discontinuing support for the Steam version of Skyrim. A Skyrim downgrader tool, intended to revert the game to its previous version to alleviate some issues, is also causing crashes in-game, adding to modders' challenges. Bethesda's update, which altered the user interface by injecting new code and removed Steam's DRM, has complicated mod functionality, particularly concerning compatibility with Adobe Flash and ESL files. These changes have created a "technical mess," causing frustrations and pushing some to switch to the GOG version of Skyrim for more stability. Despite these difficulties, the speaker remains optimistic that the modding community will continue to persevere, though Bethesda's new paid mod system might deter casual modders.
00:00:00
In this segment, the video addresses the recent large update to Skyrim that includes paid mods, fixes, and miscellaneous changes, and the problems it has caused for modders. The primary focus is on how this update has significantly disrupted modding and maintenance of mod lists. Notably, many popular mods are taking much longer to update, with some mod authors even considering dropping support for the Steam version of the game. The speaker discusses the Skyrim downgrader tool, which reverts the game to a previous version, a crucial step for many modders affected by sudden updates. However, this tool is currently causing repeatable crashes in areas like Solitude and Dawnstar, with no clear cause identified, making mod authors hesitant to use it. Additionally, the widely-used mod Sky UI is experiencing numerous bugs, including disappearing difficulty and survival settings, and game freezing, due to issues with Skyrim’s use of Adobe Flash files for menus and the user interface.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the technical complications that arose when Bethesda updated Skyrim’s user interface (UI) for the new paid mod system. They explain that instead of creating a new SWF file or updating an existing one, Bethesda inserted new code into the existing UI code, causing serious issues for mods like SkyUI. This insertion disrupted the communication between Skyrim and Adobe Flash, leading to difficulties in mod functionality.
Additionally, the update removed Steam’s DRM, which affected achievements and mods like the engine fixes that enabled achievements with mods. The speaker also mentions changes to ESL files, allowing larger mods to bypass the ESP file limit, which is beneficial for installing more mods. However, these new ESL IDs are incompatible with older Skyrim versions, causing further complications. A mod has been created to address this ID issue, but it adds another layer of complexity for modders. The segment highlights the technical mess and challenges introduced by the latest update.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the frustrations caused by Skyrim updates, particularly with Creation Club content receiving new version numbers that previous versions of Skyrim cannot recognize. This issue, combined with other problems, is creating significant difficulties for mod authors and mod list creators, leading some to switch to the GOG version of Skyrim for better control. The speaker points out that while updates have always been challenging for the modding community, this update is especially problematic and lacks sufficient positive changes to justify the headaches. Despite the difficulties, modding will continue to thrive, although the new paid mod system from Bethesda complicates casual modding, potentially discouraging new modders. The speaker also expresses gratitude towards contributors and promises more content once the current issues are resolved.